The niche and paratextual industries of games and play

Abstraction

My prototype is somewhat abstracted in its mechanics, but less so thematically. The theme of powering robots using different energy sources is more representational of the real world. The game centres on the idea that nonrenewable energy is cheaper but less effective in the long term whereas renewable energy is more costly initially but the more effective long-term. It is representational as the teachings of the game are supported by contemporary scientific research that proves renewable energy to be the best solution to climate change, going forward.

The mechanics of my game are abstract in that they are the idea of renewable and non-renewable energies articulated simply, in their fundamental form. There is no material mechanism that generates power in the game, rather the energy generated by each source is represented through digits inscribed on paper or plastic.

Through playtesting the game this week, it became clear that the consistency…